How to plant tulip bulbs in pots

Are you wanting to plant tulips but don’t have a garden to put them in? Fortunately, tulips are very easy to grow in containers! That said, there are a few tips for planting tulip bulbs in pots.

Success planting tulip bulbs in pots depends on choosing an appropriate planter, high-quality potting mix, and tulip variety, as well as timing planting and chilling. Use a deep planter that’s at least 12″ wide to plant the bulbs. Bulbs can be quite close together. Water the planted tulips and place the pot in a chilled spot (either outdoors or in a fridge) for 8-13 weeks. Properly planted and chilled bulbs will start to sprout when temperatures warm up.

Continue reading to learn how to brighten up your space with potted tulips!

How deep should I plant my tulip bulbs in pots?

Planting tulip bulbs in a pot is no more complicated than planting them in the ground. However, there are a few tweaks you can make to ensure your tulip bulbs bloom at the right time. For example, tulip bulbs need deep planter pots at least 12″ wide. If you go any smaller, your tulip bulbs will not grow properly.

You’re also going to need a good potting mix that drains well and contains perlite (if available). Perlite encourages aeration, provides enough humidity for the bulbs to root, and is great for limited gardening space. Once you get your potting soil, fill your pots up, leaving 1-1/2 inches of space at the top. 

Just like when you plant tulips in the ground, tulips planted in pots need to be planted well beneath the soil’s surface. When you go to plant your tulip bulbs, plant them twice as deep as the tulip bulb is tall. For example, if the tulip bulb is 2 inches long, plant the bulb 4-6 inches deep. You also want to keep 4 inches of soil beneath the bulbs so they root properly.

Another thing to note about planting tulips in pots is that you can plant them closer than you would in the ground. You want them to be close enough so they look uniform in the pot. However, make sure your bulbs aren’t touching. Right after you plant your bulbs, water them thoroughly. Make sure your pot has draining holes so the bulbs are not soaking in water. This will cause them to rot and that’s not what we want. 

Wondering what to do with the tulips once they’ve bloomed? Make sure to check out this guide, on tulip care after blooming!

When should I plant my tulips in pots?

You should plan on planting your tulip bulbs in the fall. However, if you live in a warmer climate, you’re going to need to chill your bulbs for 8-13 weeks before planting them in the ground to root and develop properly. To chill your bulbs, place them in a cool garage, in the ground (surrounded by chicken wire), or in a spare refrigerator (with no fruit in it). Make sure your bulbs are stored in a cool environment for the remainder of the winter and the soil is kept moist but not soaking wet. 

Which tulip varieties grow well in planters?

If you’re a first-time tulip planter or this is your first time planting tulips in a pot, you may want to stick to one variety. It will give you a more uniform look and you can always experiment as you gain more experience.

Some short tulip varieties that grow well in planters are Monte Carlo Tulips, Secret Perfume Tulips, Brisbane Tulips, Sweet Sixteen Tulips, Red Riding Hood Tulips, and Peppermint Stick Tulips just to name a few! All of these tulips are between 10-12 inches tall, which look lovely when planted in large pots! 

Read more about different tulip varieties

Can I plant tulip bulbs in pots outside?

Tulip bulbs can be planted in pots outside in climates with cool-cold winters. This includes Zones 3-7 on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map. Those in warmer zones will have to chill tulip bulbs in the fridge for 8-13 weeks. Tulip bulbs grow best in planter pots that are at least 12″ wide and are deep enough to place 4″ of soil on top of the bulbs.

How to plant tulip bulbs indoors (forcing tulips)?

Planting tulip bulbs indoors is a great way to brighten up your home without having a garden. If you’re looking for some flowers to plant inside your home for the upcoming fall season, look no further than tulips! Tulips can be forced to grow indoors under the right conditions. For example, short-stemmed tulips tend to grow better indoors when forced versus tall tulip varieties.

Plant your tulip bulbs in the fall. Use a deep, wide pot. Ideally, there should be up to 4″ of the potting mix below the bulbs and 4″-6″ on top of the bulbs. Water the container after planting the bulbs.

The planter now must be chilled for several months. Place the planter in a cool garage, buried in the ground (can use chicken wire to cover pots from animals), or in a spare refrigerator (with no fruit in it). Whether chilled outdoors or in the fridge, tulip bulbs need 8-13 weeks in a temperature range of 40°-50°F (4°-10°C) to root and develop properly.

After 8-13 weeks, the potted bulbs can be removed from chilling. Bringing them up to a warmer indoor temperature will encourage them to start sprouting. Make sure the space has plenty of bright, indirect sunlight for your flowering bulbs.